Party Garland

Cute idea from Purl Soho. They have instructions on how to make a fabric party garland. And it will last from one party to the other. Hmmm...it might be good just to hang in a playroom.



{via frolic!}

Best Thing

I think the best thing about being pregnant is feeling the baby move in your tummy. And....I think that's about it. Can't think of anything else.

Soccer Camp

Soccer Camp for Stella= kicking the ball around+listening well to the coach+being the only girl on the team+being shy+running on her tippy toes+refusing to roll her body on the ground+refusing to put the ball on her head+asking when she can go to dance class+asking when she can go to dance class+asking when she can go to dance class.

Although she did have fun, I think we might just stick with dance class.

Decorating for the Sexes

Since we don't know the sex of the baby, my plan was to bunk the baby up in the same room with whatever child is the same sex. But Seth's plan is to have Stella and Lucas share a room and the baby have it's own rom. Seth's plan kind of makes more sense to me. But I'm completely confused how to decorate a child's room with the two different sex. Stella's room very girlie and Lucas's is very boyish. What do you do? Half boy, half girl, gender-natural colors? Or is it better to just go with my original plan? Something I'm not worrying about yet, but thinking about.

{image via ohdeedoh}

Colorful Bookcase

We bought a couple of Ikea Expedite bookcases for the basement to store the children's toys. Bright idea painting each block a different color. If it's cheap, why not paint it.

{via ohdeedoh}

Blueberry Picking

One of the favorite things I like about living out here is going to the local farms and picking fruit. It's blueberry season! So we went last week and filled a whole box up of yummy blueberries. Stella was my helper; Lucas was my eater. So far we've made blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes and blueberry shakes. And we have lots of frozen blueberries. Next up: blueberry pie.

Baby Clippings

Painted clothespins glued to an oval canvas stretcher is used to hold photos, cards and announcements. This is such a cute idea and a good way to display cards received after a baby is born.


{via Martha Stewart}

Milk Bottles

A whole lot of porcelain milk bottles with fresh flowers is a very pretty sight.


{via Ruby Pr}

Simple and Green

A little family birthday party that simple and sweet. I want some of that green paper garland, and I like the idea of hanging the balloons upside down.


{via Domino}

Martha's basement

We are going to be using our basement as living space, and Martha uses hers as a large storage room. I'm sure it is used to store all her entertaining furniture. I like her creative space and the ceiling fixtures.

Frozen Blueberries

Throw a few fresh blueberries in a bowl, wash with cool water and place in the freezer. Wait a few hours and then eat. It taste like blueberry ice cream. Such a yummy and healthy dessert treat.

The Red Piano

Before the tragedy, the first part of my Vegas trip was pretty fun. My brother Stephen hooked me up with a FREE front row ticket to Elton John's "The Red Piano" at Caesars Palace. He came with me, and we had such a great time rocking out to the music of Elton. The performance was awesome, and what was even better is that I didn't have to pay $300 for my ticket. During one of his songs, we got up and danced on stage (below is a picture of Elton and the audience--I took it while on stage dancing behind him). It was great--me shaking my big pregnant belly. I think the audience got a kick out of me more than Elton....Nnnnaaaaaa.

Stephanie DeArmond

She's got some pretty amazing ceramic pieces. Lovely enough to display on a shelf.

Welcome Entry

This entry is a happy entrance. Very welcoming indeed. I like the dark paint with the contrast of the white sofette.

{via CottageLiving}

Family Cookbook

I'm lovin' our family cookbook that my sister Marleen compiled. We've been really enjoying all the recipes--after all, they've all been test-tasted and approved by people I trust. And I treasure the old family recipes that I grew up on and now can share with my own children.

Walking Shoes

Walk in the park, walk in the city, walk around the block, walk to your neighbors. These walking shoes are my type of style.

Pregnancy Yoga

Whenever I get pregnant, I always forget about the bodily pains pregnancy causes until I start getting the pains all over again. One of the pains I always seem to get has to do with my bladder. I know it's gross, but I know I'm not the only pregnant lady out there with bladder pains. So today as I was having an episode and hunched over in pain, my friend started showing me all these yoga poses she would do when she was pregnant to help alleviate body pain. And they were helpful advice. I need to pull out all my prenatal yoga video and start using them. And I need to start staying away from dairy especially during midnight snacking.

My Daily Blog Inspiration

I know I've posted about my sister-in-law's blog in the past, but I read it every day and get daily inspirations from her and the knowledge she has gain while adjusting to life without Camille. She has such wonderful insights about life and about understanding and accepting trails. She is still grieving but has an incredible strength. For a little daily inspiration check out A Daily Scoop.

Children's Artwork

Oh I have a room filled full of Stella's artwork--piles and piles. I know I should probably only keep the cream of the crop and throw away the others. Or I need to get it organized...one day. But once this basement is finished (almost!), I want to do a cable system on one of the walls for her and Lucas to display their artwork. It looks very easy to make--just need a few supplies.

Cheesecake Toppings

Buy a pie of cheesecake, cut into slices and then top each slice with different combinations of fruit, sauces and nuts. Quick, easy and will steal the show at any dinner gathering. Click on the image to get topping ideas.

{via BHG}

Limited Budget

There is an article in Domino about decorating rooms on a limited budget. There needs to be more magazines out there with this topic because it's realistic. I like the idea of shopping at children stores for low-budget items and then using the items in non-children rooms (for instance PB2). Some of the featured items I like are the X-back chair at Target, West Elm's woven rug, Ikea's Hemnes post bed (painted).

Great Past Week

Lauren came into town and kept my mind off of Seth's risky climb up Rainier, and not to mention she kept me company. We had a fun week doing lots of different things--a few lazy days at the beach, a day in Central Park and at the Met (we went to check out the Jeff Koons' exhibit), Shakespeare on the Sound, chocolate fondue at the Melting Pot, ate lots of sushi. We also took a boat ride around the Manhattan harbor so she could see Lady Liberty, views of Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn bridge and the freestanding waterfalls from the Danish artist.

Oh, Happy Birthday Lauren!

White Globes

These would be so festive for a backyard barbecue party. And they are on sale!

Fourth of July Weekend

I know I'm behind, but we had such a fun holiday weekend that I must report. We went up to Boston (just me and the kiddies because Seth flew out to climb Mt. Rainier) to spend the weekend with my cousin Shayna. Our plans were to head down to Plymouth then Cape Cod but the weather wasn't so great--it was raining. Idea nixed. So we just hung out around downtown Boston and had a blast. That city really gets into the 4th. Everything is so patriotic and there is so much American history. We actually stopped by this cemetery that has John Hancock, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin's family grave sites. We watched fireworks near their home, and there was a fun carnival that Stella and Trejan enjoyed.

White Walls, Colorful Furniture

We are going to paint our basement an off white. I was originally thinking of painting it a shade of blue, but after some convincing from Seth and Lauren I'm going to go white. I know it's a playroom, but it's also a basement and it doesn't get a lot of light down there. But I'm thinking of using some fun rugs and colorful furniture to brighten up the room. However we are on a tight budget so I've got to be creative. I like the idea of painting a flea market daybed hot pink and throwing patterned pillows on it.



{images via Domino}

Caputo Deli

Earlier this summer we stopped into Salt Lake City for a couple of hours, and I made sure we got a bite to eat at Tony Caputo's. They have the best deli sandwiches. We always ask for their hot mustard on the sandwich and on the side for dipping. This mustard is so good that in the past I've asked them to squirt some in a jar for me so I can bring it home. Now they've expanded their little deli into a market and their yummy hot mustard can be bought.

Hable Construction

Hable has such fun textiles. I want all their gardening accessories.

Virus Attack

My computer has been attacked. It will stay on for about 5 minutes and then it just shuts down. Hence why I haven't blog. So before this sucker shuts down again I need to back up files on my external drive and have my honey wipe the computer clean. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow.

Old Friend

My girlfriend Lauren is in town spending a few days with me while also enjoying my silly kids. She's getting a kick out of them! We've known each other since we were four years old, so she is someone very dear to my heart. I'll be back on Thursday.

Fireworks

Our agenda this weekend is to spend some time with my cousin Shayna and her family. Enjoy the beach (hopefully it won't rain!) and fireworks of course. Eat some yummy ice cream. Then I'm so excited--my girlie Lauren is coming into town and staying almost for a whole week. Enjoy your holiday! And be safe!

Paper Doll

Next time I'm in the city I want to check out paper doll exhibit at the flagstore Anthropologie. I'm sure I won't be able to leave the store without spending a little cash, and I'll be able to say hello to my friend Katie who's a manager there.

Ultrasound

We had the big developmental ultrasound last week and so far everything looks good, which is always wonderful news. And the little bugger is....a boy....or a girl. That's right. We are keeping this one a surprise, which is SO not like me. I am a planner and like to be prepared. And I really don't like the antsy feeling of the unknown. But since we already have a boy and a girl and my deliveries are planned C-sections (which loses a little of the anticipation), I thought why not make this a happy surprise. Definitely not enough happy surprises in my life. The one thing I'm concerned about is the picking out of names. I know there will be a long list for both sexes. So here's the little cutie.

Pretty Metal Things

A few metal Urban things that I like: